Glow Worm Tunnel walking track is a 2km, grade 3 return hike located in the Wollemi National Park, NSW. The hike should take approximately 1.5hrs to complete.

Summary

Glow Worm Tunnel walking track is a short, easy walking track, only a 2.5hour drive from Sydney. It’s popular with families and Sydneysiders keen to see glow worms in their natural environment.

The track starts from the carpark at the end of Glow Worm Tunnel Road. Enjoy the easy 1km walk to the tunnel entrance, past an impressive landscape of tall forests, lush tree ferns, narrow gorges and stunning pagoda rock formations.

The 400m-long tunnel was built in the early 1900s as part of the railway for the thriving mining industry at Newnes. It’s now home to thousands of glow worms that cling to the dark, damp walls. Switch off your torch, keep quiet, and wait for the worms to light up the tunnel with pinpricks of blue light.
On your way back, look for goannas and lyrebirds. If you’re lucky, you may spot a swamp wallaby or koala. During spring and summer, the walking track is dotted with yellow pagoda daisies, while banksias bloom in the cooler months.

You can also access Glow Worm Tunnel from Old Coach Road or from Wolgan Valley Road near Newnes. If you’re up for a challenge, the 7.5km Wolgan Valley circuit is a 4hr loop that features pagoda and Wolgan Valley views.

For an extended version of this return walk, refer to the The Glow Worm Tunnel Walk (11.5km).

About the Region

World Heritage-listed Wollemi National Park offers a dramatic setting for scenic walks, swimming, canoeing and camping, just a couple of hours north-west of Sydney.

Discover the spectacular landscapes of Wollemi National Park, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. From scenic canyons, towering cliffs, wild rivers and serene forests, there are ample opportunities to be immersed in the beauty of the largest wilderness area in NSW.

In the southeast of the park, pack a picnic and hike down to the beautiful Colo river for lunch, or riverside camping, in the dramatic surrounds of one of the state’s longest and most picturesque gorges.

Set up camp at Newnes, near the Wolgan River, and head out to explore the historic ruins, once the site of an oil shale mining facility, or take the kids to marvel at the luminous occupants of the Glow Worm Tunnel, part of the old railway that once serviced the area. Bushwalkers and rock climbers will thrill at the hikes and climbing opportunities available in this striking, escarpment-bound valley.

In the northwest of the park, Ganguddy (Dunns swamp) offers a tranquil escape. Camp below the remarkable pagoda rock formations and plenty of opportunities for easy walks, swimming and canoeing.

Getting There

From Bells Line of Road via Newnes Plateau Turn off Bells Line of Road at Clarence (Zig Zag Railway).Follow the gravel road through Newnes State Forest for 39km. Continue on Glow Worm Tunnel Road until you reach the carpark. From here, it’s an easy 1km walk along the railway formation to the tunnel entrance.From Lithgow via Newnes Plateau. The route is signposted from the corner of Bridge St and Main Street.Turn left at Atkinson Street and after 750m, right at State Mine Gully Road.Continue on Glow Worm Tunnel Road until you reach the carpark. From here, it’s an easy 1km walk along the railway formation to the tunnel entrance.

Please drive slowly along the narrow gravel roads and look out for wildlife. Unsealed roads Vehicle access 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access) Weather restrictions 4WD required in wet weather Parking The carpark is at the end of Glow Worm Tunnel Road, 1km south of the Glow Worm Tunnel. Car spaces are limited during peak times. You can also park at the Old Coach Road carpark and walk along the Pagoda walking track and connect with Glow Worm Tunnel walking track (4km return).

Tips

• Please take care in the tunnel as the ground is rocky, uneven and slippery.
• It’s completely dark inside the tunnel, so remember to bring a torch.
• Try to keep noise to a minimum as glow worms are sensitive to sound.
• It’s best to visit during the week or in spring or autumn. It can be very busy and there’s limited parking during summer, weekends, and holiday periods.
• Please stay on the walking track to protect the fragile ecosystem in this World Heritage-listed national park.

Visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for more information on this trail.

The longitude and latitude of the start and end points are approximately only and should not be used for navigation purposes. Please contact me if you know the correct coordinates.